Overhead Robot Track Structure to Free Rig Floor Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot systems on drilling rigs occupy valuable space, are prone to damage from collisions with heavy equipment, and have limited reach, posing risks to workers and equipment.
Innovation Solution
An overhead robot track apparatus elevates the robot above the rig floor, utilizing a frame assembly with vertical support pillars and a horizontal track support, allowing the robot to move along rails and extend its reach while minimizing space usage and collision risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robot is positioned on the rig floor, then it has direct access to equipment, but it occupies valuable space and is prone to collisions with heavy equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system transitions from a two-dimensional floor-based position to a three-dimensional overhead position by suspending the robot from the derrick structure. This vertical dimension change allows the robot to operate above the rig floor, eliminating space occupation conflicts and collision risks with ground-based equipment while maintaining operational access through overhead positioning and articulated arm movement.
2Ease of operation
If the robot is positioned on the rig floor, then it is easier to access and maintain, but it has limited reach and poses risks to workers
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the robot overhead, the system extends the robot's effective reach vertically and horizontally across the rig floor area below. The articulated arm mechanism provides multi-axis movement capability, allowing the robot to access equipment and components throughout the rig footprint from its elevated position, thereby increasing reach without compromising accessibility through remote operation and modular design.
3Length of moving object
If the robot track is extended to increase reach, then the robot can access more areas, but the structure becomes more complex and requires more support
Solution Approach 1:
The robot track system is divided into modular segments that can be independently supported and positioned. The frame assembly uses discrete support pillars spaced along the track length, with each pillar providing localized support. This segmentation allows the track to extend over long distances while maintaining structural integrity through distributed support points, reducing overall complexity compared to a continuous support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support pillars are anchored to the rig floor in the vertical dimension, providing stable support points for the overhead track system. This vertical anchoring creates a three-dimensional support structure that spans the rig floor, allowing long track extensions without requiring complex lateral bracing or additional horizontal support elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling rig assembly includes a robot system further including a robot and a robot track for movement of a position of the robot and a frame assembly couplable to a drilling rig for positioning the robot system above a floor of the drilling rig. The frame assembly includes a first support pillar extending upwardly from a floor of the drilling rig, a horizontal track support coupled to the robot track and coupled to the first support pillar, and a cantilever support extending between the first support pillar and the horizontal track support. The robot track includes a plurality of rails that couple to the robot such that the robot may move along a length of the robot track. Benefits of elevating a robot of a robot system off the drilling rig floor include minimizing the risk of injuries and providing additional open floor space on the drilling rig.